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Polymer Technology
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Classification of Polymer
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Natural or Synthetic Polymer
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Curing Process of Natural Rubber
Vulcanization, also called curing, is the chemical process used in the rubber industry in
which individual polyisoprene chains are linked to other polyisoprene chains by
chemical bonds (see reaction sequence below). The actual chemical cross-linking is
usually done with Sulfur. Vulcanization is an irreversible process, like baking a cake.
The normally soft and springy rubber molecules become locked together resulting in a
harder material with greater durability and chemical resistance. Vulcanization changes
the surface of the material from very sticky to a smooth, soft surface which does not
adhere to metal or plastic substrates.
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Rubber Processing
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Linear, Branched or Cross-linked
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Amorphous or Crystalline
Crystalline
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Amorphous or Crystalline
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Effect of tacticity
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Homopolymer or Copolymer
Homopolymer
Copolymer
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Copolymer
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Copolymer
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Fibers, Plastics, or Elastomers
Fibers
a polymeric fiber is a polymer whose chains are stretched out straight (or
close to straight) and lined up next to each other, all along the same axis,
kind of like you see in the picture.
Polymers arranged in fibers like this can be spun into threads and used
as textiles. The clothes you're wearing are made out of polymeric
fibers. So is carpet. So is rope.
Polyethylene
Polypropylene
Nylon
Polyester
Kevlar and Nomex
Polyacrylonitrile
Cellulose
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Elastomer
Amorphous Polymer
Tg < T room : Elastomer
Tg. This is the temperature above which a polymer becomes soft and
pliable (lentur), and below which it becomes hard and glassy
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Plastic
• Thermoplastic
• Thermoset
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Thermoplastics
We call plastics plastic because they are pliable, that is, they can be
shaped and molded easily. As plastics become easier to mold and shape
when they're hot, and melt when they get hot enough, we call them
thermoplastics
•Low pressure polyethylene elastic material
used for insulation of electrical cables, etc.
•Polystyrene applied for electrical insulation,
handles of tool..
•Polyamide used for making ropes, belts,
etc.
•PVC or polyvinyl chloride for the
manufacture of insulation materials, pipes,
containers, etc..
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Thermoset
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Thermoset
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